Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photography
Old Marylebone Town Hall is probably the register office most people picture when they imagine getting married in London. Built between 1914 and 1920 and sitting directly opposite Regent’s Park, its Edwardian Graeco-Roman facade and curved colonnade of columns have hosted an average of 2,500 ceremonies a year since its 2018 refurbishment — including some famous ones (Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Ronnie Wood all married here). I’ve had the pleasure of photographing a wedding here myself, and it’s every bit as striking in person as it looks in photos.
If you’re planning a wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall, here’s everything I’d want you to know.
The Seven Ceremony Rooms
The town hall has seven rooms to choose from, each with its own character and capacity. Fees vary by room, time, and season — generally between £565 and £1,200 — with the Westminster, Marylebone, and Paddington rooms (which sit next to each other and share soundproofing) carrying a slight premium over the other four.
Westminster Room: up to 100 guests — the largest and most formal, with real presence for a bigger wedding.
Mayfair Room: up to 30 guests.
Knightsbridge Room: up to 30 guests.
Pimlico Room: up to 20 guests.
Soho Room: up to 13 guests — a relaxed, residential feel with a marble fireplace and sofas.
Marylebone Room: up to 12 guests — wood-panelled and intimate, with chandelier lighting.
Paddington Room: up to 8 guests — the smallest and quietest, perfect for a very intimate ceremony.
The wedding I photographed here was a warm, joyful celebration with family travelling in for the day — the kind of room you choose says a lot about the scale and feel you’re going for, so it’s worth viewing a few in person before booking.
What to Expect on the Day
The grand entrance alone sets the tone — heavy wooden doors framed by stone archways, with plenty of space for photos before you even step inside. Once through, the wood-panelled corridors have a real sense of occasion; even a quiet walk down the hallway between rooms makes for a beautiful, unplanned photograph.
The Best Spots for Photos
The front steps and curved colonnade are the classic choice, and for good reason — the scale of the columns gives every photo real grandeur, and there’s enough space for a proper confetti moment even with a larger guest list. It’s a popular spot on a Saturday, so a little patience for other couples using the same steps goes a long way.
Inside, the wood-panelled corridors make for gorgeous, moody portraits if the light is right, and the entrance doors themselves are a beautiful backdrop for couple portraits before the crowd arrives.
For something a little different, Regent’s Park is directly opposite the building — if you have time in your schedule, it’s worth stepping across for portraits with greenery and open sky rather than architecture.
The wedding I shot here was a big, warm family affair — multiple generations, guests in traditional dress alongside more formal suits, and a ceremony room filled with genuine emotion rather than stiffness. That’s exactly the kind of day documentary photography is made for: capturing what’s actually happening rather than directing it.
Practical Tips
Timing: Ceremonies run on the hour and on a tight schedule, so confirm your exact slot with your photographer in advance to make the most of the time on the steps.
Guests: The colonnade gets busy on Saturdays with other weddings using the same steps — build in a few minutes' buffer for your confetti exit.
Booking: Westminster, Marylebone, and Paddington rooms block out their shared neighbours for that hour, which is part of why they carry a slightly higher fee — worth knowing if you're comparing room costs.
Nearby for Your Celebration
Marylebone High Street is a short walk away and has a great mix of relaxed and smarter options for continuing the celebration, and Regent's Park itself is lovely for a slower, more scenic moment between the ceremony and your reception if your schedule allows it.
Thinking of Getting Married at Old Marylebone Town Hall?
I'd love to hear about your plans. If you're after documentary-style photography that feels calm, honest, and true to who you are — not posed, not performed — get in touch and let's talk about your day.
